Device for obtaining core samples



Dec. 5, 1939.

NwwwAvk/Mw R. Q. SEALE DEVICE FOR OBTAINING CORE SAMPLES Filed sept. 16,1958 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 glu/vauro@ Dec. 5, 1939. R Q SEALE 2,181,980

DEVICE FOR OBTAINING CORE SAMPLES Filed Sept. 16, 1938 3 Sheets-Sheet 2Q t 55 11" ,1' G7 6/ 6W a sa' 6a v G9 5a (60 f l s`-cs5 I l IIIIHIH IlIIHHH y 6;; 43, muuu 111%);` 67

Dec. 5, 1939. R. Q. sEALE l 2,181,980

DEVICE FOR OBTAINING CORE SAMPLES Filed Sept. 16, 1958 3 Sheets-Sheet 3Patented Dec. 5, 1939 UNITED lSTATES PATENT OFFICE 2,181,980 l DEVICEFon oBTAmrG com; SAMPLE-s Roy Q. Seale, Corpus Christi, Tex.

Application September 16, 1938, Serial No. 230,222

9 Claims.

an improved core sampling device including r tatable meansl forobtaining and retaining a sample core, the device being arranged to belowered into and removed from a well bore on a wire line, whereby asample may be taken and removed from the well bore with greater ease andaccuracy.

An important object of the invention is to provide an improved coresampling device including a core container for obtaining and retaining asample core of the formation occurring at any particular depth withinthe well bore, said core container having removable cap on its innerend, whereby the sample core may be' removed from said barrel in itsoriginal form.

A further object of the invention is to provide a core sampling deviceof the character described, wherein a rotatable core containerhavingsmall openings initsinner end is employed to -permit the passagetherethrough of wellfluids within the well bore, whereby hydrostaticpressurev will I. not force the sample core out oi! the core containerwhen it is retracted.

A4 particular object of the invention is to provide 4an improved coresampling device including' a rotor for ejecting the core removingelement and a rotator for rotating the same, theV rotor and rotatorbeing adapted to ,be actuated by suit1 able gears and an electric motorencased within the device, whereby the movement of said element may beaccurately controlled from the surface.

A construction designed to carry out the in-v vention will behereinafter described, together with other features oi' the invention.The invention will be more readily understood from a reading of thefollowing specification and by reference to'the accompanying drawings,in which an example of the invention is shown, and wherein:

Figure 1 is a view, partly in elevation and partly in section, of a.core samplingv device 'constructed in accordancewith the invention andshowing the core removing element in its retracted or normal position,

Figure 2 is an enlarged transverse, vertical sectional view of the coreremoving element and its actuating mechanism, the element being shownpartially extended,

(Cl. Z55-1) Figure 3 is aside elevation of one shell of the body' Figure4 is a horizontal, cross-sectional' view, taken on the line 4 4 ofFigure 1,

Figure 5 is a horizontal, cross-sectional view, 5 taken on the line 5-5of Figure 1,

Figure 6 is a transverse, vertical sectional view,

' taken on the lmet-6 of Figure 1,

Figure 7 is an enlarged view, partly in elevation and partly insection,'of the rotator and core l.

removing element,

Figure 8 is an enlarged horizontal, cross-sectional View, taken on theline 8-8 of Figure 1,

Figure 9 is an enlarged isometric view of the rotator being partiallybroken away to show its l. connection with the core container, and

Figure 10 is an enlarged longitudinal, crosssectional view of the coreremoving element showing the bit screw-threaded thereon.

In the drawings, the letter A designates a well bore through which asampling device I0 is lowered by a wire line or cable (not shown). Thesampling device includes an elongate cylindrical housing or casing II,the ends of which are provided with externally screw-threaded flangesI2.

A cap I3, having a reduced tapered shank I3 extending upwardly andaxially from its upper end is' secured to the upper flange I2 and hasits shank suitably fastened to a wire line v(not shown), whereby thedevice is supported by said line. A tapered cap or thimble I4, beinginternally screw-threaded, is arranged to engage 'the lower flange I2 soas to form a pointed lower end for the device, whereby theL same maybereadily lowered through the well `bore A.v A ,cylindrical body I5,having an external diameter substan tially equal to the internaldiameter of the housing II, engages within said housing so asl to have asnug fit therein. If desired, the body I5 may be fastened to theAhousing by suitable means (not shown).

The cylindrical body is composed of a pair of elongate arcuate membersor shells I6 and I'I, having flat inner faces or'surfaces, which areplaced face to face to form said body as shown in Figures 5 and 6. Theshells I 6 and I'I are preformed or cast with suitable recesses andgrooves on their inner or flat faces (Figure 3) to accommodate themechanism of the sampling with suitable power and can be controlled fromY the surface of the well. The motor is inverted so that its dependingdrive shaft may be connected to a vertical shaft 22 which lies withingrooves or recesses provided in the inner faces of the shells I6 and I1.A bearing 23, preferably of the ball and race type, engages around theupper portion of the shaft 22, while a similar bearing 2,4 is mounted onthe lower portion thereof. The bearings engage within arcuate recessesin the shells I6 and I1 and permit the free rotation of the shaft withinthe vertical grooves.

A bevelled gear is mounted upon the lower end of the shaft 22 so as tobe in constantmesh 25 with a bevelled gear 26 carried by a short,horizontal shaft 21. The ends of the shaft 21 are journaled with'ih ballbearings 28 which engage within arcuate recesses formed in the shells I6and I1, whereby s'aid shaft is supported therein.y

or helical gear 35 formed on the central portionA of a horizontal shaft36, whereby the latter is actuated by the former. Although the gears 34and 35 may be constructed in any suitable manner, it is preferred to cutthe same in the surfaces of the shafts 3I and 36.- The latter extend` atright angles to each other and are in close proximity so that the wormgear will be in constant mesh with its complementary gear. Y Y

The shaft 36 is suitably supported by ball bearings 31 and 31 whichengage within arcuate recesses in the shellsv of thebody. Aslightly-bevelled gear 38 is carriedby the shaft 36 and engages abevelled pinion 39 so as to be in constant mesh therewith. The pinion 39is supported upon the upper end of a short vertical shaft 40 which has asimilar pinion 4I mounted on its lower end. The shaft 40 is suitablysupported by a pair of bearings 42 located adjacentthe pinions 39 and4I, wherebysald shaft and pinions are free to rotate.

A cylindrical rotating element or rotor 43, hav,- ing an external radialflange 44 made vintegral with its central portion, is axially disposedwithin a cylindrical chamber formed by a pair of large arcuate recessespre-formed within the shells of the body I5. An annular, bevelled grooveorseat 45 is provided in each end of the rotor 43 as shown in Figures 7and 9 and each grooveis engaged by the balls of a ball bearing 46,whereby said rotor is rotatably supported within the ref cesses formedin the shells I6 and I1. For addi tional rigidity, an upset shoulder 41is provided on the external surface of the rotor adjacent the flange 44and said shoulder has a ball bearing 48 mounted thereon, as is clearlyshown in 'Figures 1 and 2. The opposite side of the ange 44 is bevelledand is provided with radial teeth 49 (Figures '1 and 9) which areengaged by the teeth of the bevelled pinion 4I, whereby the rotor mayberevolved on its bearings 46 and 48 by the rota- 5 tion of said pinion.

I'he inner or rear end of the cylindrical chamber, formed by the large,arcuate recesses of the shellsl I6 and I1 is reduced in diameter and'isenclosed by a curved or arcuate plate 50 which 10 overlies the ame. Theplate 50, having an axial opening 58', engages within a circular openingI I formed in the housing ,II which opening surrounds the reduced end ofthe chamber. 'Ihe plate is fastened within the opening by suitable l5bolts 5I, whereby the external surface of the same is substantiallyflush with the exterior of the housing as shown .in Figure 5. The outeror forfasten orhold the latter together. .o

The bore of the cylindrical rotor 43 is provided with internalcontinuous screw threads 43' which are engaged by an externallyscrew-threaded sleeve or cylindrical pusher 54 disposed ,trans-- verselytherein. A pair of diametrically opposed u opening or slots 55, beingslightly curved or arcuate in vertical cross-section (Figure 9), extendlongitudinally through the sleeve54 and are ar'- ranged to receive apair of rods on guides 56. 'I'he latter are positioned longitudiauywithin the 40 t bore of the rotor and project'from either end thereof,whereby the ends of the saine may extend through and be fastened to theplate 50 and collar 53. It is noted the rods are provided for thepurpose of preventing the sleeve 54 from 45 turning when the rotor 43 isrevolved, whereby said sleeve will travel or move forwardly through thebore of said rotor as shown in Figure 7.

The sleeve 54 is internally screwf-threaded at one end and is formedwith an internal annular 50 flange 51 at its opposite end. .Anexternally screw-threaded plate or plug 58, having an axial opening 58',engages the internally screw-threaded portion of the sleeve. Acylindrical core container or removing element 59, having an external 55v annular flange 59' formed on its inner end, is axially disposed withinthe rotor 43 andhas its ange confined within the sleeve between theflange 51 and plug 58, whereby the core removing element is limited inits transverse movement by 60' the travel or movement of said sleeve.The flange 59 of the core yremoving element is spaced from the flangeand plug of the sleeve by a pair of ball bearings 60 which engage withinannular bevelled channels or raceways 60 provided in the inner 65 sidesof the plug and flange of the sleeve. The core removing element is inthis manner rotat` ably supported within the bore of the rotor.

A removable cap EI, having a plurality of grooves 6i formed in itsperiphery, is screw- 70 threaded into the inner end of the element 59 soas to form a closure for the same. The grooves 5I are arranged tocoincide cr communicate with a plurality o f longitudinal grooves orchannels S2 provided inthe bore of the element, whereby 75 well fluidsor drilling mud may rapidly pass therethrough without affecting the coresample Withl in said element. It is manifest that the drilling mud andwell fluids will also flow through thev axial openings 58 and 56' of theplug 58 and plate 56, respectively, whereby the possibility of the coresample being a'ected by hydrostatic pressure is substantiallyeliminated. Obviously,

= cutting edge in the form of a plurality bf cutting faces of saidrotator and collar.

teeth 65 are provided on the outer\ei1d of the bit, while a plurality ofsmall core-retaining spring-pressed dogs or hooks 66 are provided Withinthe bore of said bit. The internal channels 62 formed within the elementare also provided within the bit.

For. imparting rotation to the element 59, a cylindrical rotator orsleeve.61 is disposed transversely within the body I in axial alinementwith the rotor 43 of said element. 'The rotator 61, having a pluralityof internal radial ribs or projections 69, is arranged to surround theouter endof the element and the bit 64 when the same are in theirretracted position and has its ribs engaging within longitudinal groovesor channels 69 formed on the exterior of said element and bit, wherebysaid rotator is slidably secured' to the latter as shown in Figure 9.The outer end of the rotator is supported within the collar 53 by aplurality of balls which are confined within a race formed by a pair ofbevelled, annular grooves 1I provided in the adjacent sur A worm wheel12, having a concave periphery, is made integral with the inner end ofthe rotator 61 and is adapted to be engaged by a worm gear 13, as-isclearly shown in Figure 6.

The worm gear 13 is formed on a depending shaft 14 which is suitablysupported at its ends by ball bearings 15. A bevelled ratchet gear 16 ismounted upon the upper end of the shaft 14 and meshes with a bevelledpinion11 carried upon one end of the horizontal shaft 36, wherebyrotation of the latter shaft is imparted to the depending shaft. Theratchet gear includes the usual internal ratchet wheel 18 andspringpressed pawls 19 as shown in the Figure 8, whereby rotation ofsaid gear in clockwise direction will turn the shaft 14 and worm gear 13in the same direction. However, when the gear is rotated in acounter-clockwise direction, the pawls 19 will ride or slide over theteeth of the v ratchet wheel 16 so as to prevent counter-clockwisemovement of the shaft and worm gear, Thus, the rotator 61 will only beturned in one direction and will not be turned at all when the rotationof the ratchet gear is reversed.

When it is desired to obtain a sample of any particular sub-surfaceformation.- the sampling device I0 is lowered into the well bore A tothe desired depth. The device is suspended by a wire line (not shown)and its core removing element 59 is within the housing l I in aretracted position as shown in Figure 1. 'I'he electric motor 2l is thenstarted by closing a switch (not shown) at the surface of the well,whereby its drive shaft will turn the vertical shaft '22 and its gear 25which will drive the gear 26, carried by the horizontal shaft 21, in aclockwise direction. The cog 29 will turn with the shaft 21 so as torotate the cog 30 and its vertical shaft 3| in the same direction. Thehorizontal shaft 36 with its gear 33 and pinion 11 will be revolved in aclockwise direction due to the engagement between the helical gear 35 ofsaid shaft and the worm gear 34 of the shaft 3|. Since the pinion 39meshes with the gear 38, the shaft 40 and its lower pinion 4| will berotated in a similar direction.

Due to the fact that the radial teeth 49 of the flange 44 of the rotor43 are engaged by the teeth of the pinion 4I, said rotor will also be4driven in a clockwise direction by said pinion. As a result of suchmotion, the internal screw threads 43' of the rotor and the externallyscrewthreaded surface of the sleeve 54 will cause said sleeve to move ortravel forwardly within the.

bore of said rotor as shown in Figure 7. Of course, it is manifest thatthe rods or guides 56 having their ends secured within the plate 50 andcollar 53, will prevent the sleeve from rotating, whereby the lattermust travel forwardly when the rotor is revolved in a clockwisedirection. Since the element 59 is attached to the sleeve by means ofthe flange 59', it is apparent that said element will be pushedoutwardly through the bore ofthe rotor. Thus, the element is ejectedfrom the collar 53 into the well bore A. Continued outward movement ofthe sleeve 54 will cause the teeth 65 of the bit 64 of the element tocorftact'and bite into the side wall of the bore.

While the gear 38 is rotating the pinion 39 and shaft 40, the pinion 11on the opposite end of the shaft 36 is driving the ratchet gear 16 anddepending shaft 14 in a clockwise direction. Since the worm wheel 12 ofthe rotator 61 engages the worm gear 13 of vthe shaft 14, said rotatorwill be revolved in a similar direction. The revolving or turning of therotator, which is connected to the element 59 and bit '64 by means ofthe ribs 68 and grooves 69, will rotate said element and. bit, wherebythe same are rotated.

and ejected from the rotor simultaneously. Thus, the element and its bitwill bore into the wall of the well bore to cut or obtain a samplecorefrom the formation thereof. It is pointed out that the rotatorrevolves at a greater or higher speed than the rotor biecause of thegreater diameter of the latter, whereby the element and bit are movedslowly outward while being rotated at the high speed of the4 rotator soas-l to provide the proper arrangement for the cutting of a core.

When full penetration is reached, the outer end of the sleeve 54 willabut the inner end of the rotator, whereby further outward movement ofsaid sleeve is prevented. At this time, the direction of rotation o fthe electric motor 26 is reversed by a suitable switch (not shown),whereby the rotative direction ofthe hereinbefore set forth gears,shafts and elements will be reversed to retract the core removingelement. A's the latter is retracted, the core-retaining dogs 66 will beforced inwardly into engagement with the core (not shown) so as to gripand break the same from the wall of the bore, whereby said core isretained within the element. It is noted that the element and-bit arenot rotated upon being retracted into the rotor due to the provision ofthe ratchet gear 16. Upon reverse or counter- .'with respect to the wellbore.

clockwise rotation of the shaft 36 and the pinion l1, the pawls 19 oftheratchet gear will ride over the teeth of the ratchet wheel andthereby fail to revolve the shaft 14, worm gear 'I3 and worm wheel 12 ashereinbefore set forth. Thus,

the element and bit will slide through the rotatorthe device has beenremoved from the well, the

tions and repeating the hereinbefore described operation at differentdepths within the well bore, samples of the various formations may beobtained.

It is noted that suitable bushings or packing rings 80 may be disposedaround the vertical shafts 40 and 'I1 to prevent the passage of wellfluids upwardly through the body l5, whereby it is substantiallyimpossible for said well uids to reach/ the motor 20. The presentinvention has been described and illustrated with the core removingelement disposed in a horizontal plane However, it is manifest that theinvention is not limited to any such arrangement. A device of thischaracter may be employed to take cores not only at right angles to thewell bore but also at oblique angles or even from the bottom of. thebore in the direction of such axis.

Various changes, alterations and modifications may be made in the size,shape and arrangement of the herein described elements, within the scopeof the appended claims.

What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A device for obtaining core samples including, a housing, acylindrical member rotatably mounted within the housing, a core removingelement within the cylindrical member, means within said member fixedagainst rotation for ejecting the element when the-member is rotated, A,and ratchet means for rotating said element onlyv ratchet for preventing^`rotation of said element as it is retracted.

3. Al devicefor obtaining core samples includthe outer end of saidelement, the sleeve having connection with the element for rotating thesame and being fixed against axial movement, whereby said element slidestherethrough, and means including a ratchet for preventing'rotation ofsaid element as it is retracted.

4. A device for obtaining core `samples including, a housing, acylindrical member rotatably mounted within the housing, a core removingelement supported within the cylindrical member, means within saidmember fixed against rotation for ejecting the element when the memberisrotated, a rotatable sleeve surrounding the outer end of said elementand having connection therewith for rotating the same, the sleeve beingfixed against axial movement, whereby said element slides therethrough,and means for preventing rotation of said element as it is retracted.

5. A device for obtaining core samples including, a support adapted tobe lowered into a well', a motor carried by said support, a laterallymovable core drill mounted in the support, a cylindrcal rotorsurrounding the drill and internally screw-threaded, a pusher mountedgtomove longitudinally in the rotor and having screw-threaded transverseengagement therewith, the inner end of the bit being journaled in saidpusher, stationary elements extending longitudinally through the rotorand pusher, whereby the pusher is held against rotation, a rotatingelement keyed on the drill, whereby the drill is rotated while slidingtherethrough, means for revolving the rotor, and means for revolving therotating element.

6. A device for obtaining core samples as set forth in claim 5 and meansfor interrupting the transmission of motion to the rotating element whenthe bit is retracted, whereby rotation of y said bit is eliminated uponretraction of the same.

7. A device for obtaining core samples as set out in claim 5, and aratchet connected in the means for driving the rotating element, wherebywhen the driving means is reversed the rotating element will not berotated.

8. A. device for obtaining core .samples as set forth in claim 5 whereinthe bit is keyed to the rotating element by a plurality of elongate ribsin the bore of said element engaging in grooves extending longitudinallyin the outer surface of said bit.

9. As a sub combination in a, device for obtaining core samples, acylindrical rotor, a ring gear surrounding said rotor, the inner surfaceof said rotor being externally screw-threaded, a pusher having externalscrew-threads and fitting within the rotor, a bit having one endrotatably held of said element engaging in grooves extendinglongitudinally in the outer surface of said bit, and means located nearthe outer end of said bit for holding a core within said bit when thesame is being retracted from a formation.Y

ROY Q. SEALE.

